Bossier City Louisiana Travel and Tourism

There is a renewed interest
in Bossier and the Ark-La-Tex with the recent activity surrounding the natural gas drilling in the Haynesville
Shale.

In addition, the success of the casino industry, the opening of the Louisiana Boardwalk, the CenturyTel Center's popularity, and hit reality TV series such as "Bayou Billionaires" and "My Big Redneck Vacation" are shining the light on Bossier City!

Bossier City Attractions and Entertainment

Bossier City is home to four major riverboat casinos: Harrah's Horseshoe, Diamond Jacks, Boomtown, and the newly opened in Margaritaville Casino and Resort.

Harrah's Louisiana Downs, a first-class thoroughbred racetrack with slot machines, is located on the east side of the city at the junction of I-20 and I-220.

The CenturyTel Center continues to attract first-rate country stars, rock star concerts and special events such as Disney on Ice. Bass fishing tournaments are now regularly held on the Red River.

The Louisiana Boardwalk, located at 540 Boardwalk Boulevard, is a beautiful shopping mecca located on the banks of the Red River. It features dozens of upscale shopping venues such as Wet Seal, Dress Barn, Fossil, Lane Bryant and much more. Dining opportunities include Hooters, Copelands Cheesecake Bistro, Salt Grass Steakhouse, Joe's Crabshack and other restaurants.

The Boardwalk also includes the Regal Cinema an Courtyard by Marriott, and nearby Bass Pro Shops and Margaritaville Casino.

Barksdale Air Force Base

United States Air Force Thunderbirds F-16

Another major element of the Bossier City economy is Barksdale Air Force Base, long a major Strategic Air Command (SAC) facility. Construction began on Barksdale Field in 1931, and the facility was dedicated on February 2, 1933.

Since that time, the base has hosted a number of key operational and training elements of the Air Force. Today, it is serves as Headquarters of the Eighth Air Force, among other units.

A popular event at Barksdale AFB is the Defenders of Liberty Air Show, last held on May 6 - 7, 2017.

Bossier City History

In the 1830s Bossier City was known as Bennett's Bluff, and then in 1843 a section of land was divided out of the Great Natchitoches district and Claiborne Parish areas and was called Bossier Parish. In the 1840s, many settlers passed through the region on their way to the wild west, and later over 200 wagons a week passed through Bossier City.

Shed Road, the first all-weather turnpike in the American South, operated in Bossier City from 1874–1886, running for 9 miles from Red Chute to the Red River. This covered road made the transportation of goods easier before the arrival of the railroads.

Ever since the Red River was cleared and made newly navigable by Captain Henry Shreve, who removed a 180-mile long logjam, the area has exhibited an entrepreneurial spirit that remains strong even today. In 1994, the Red River was again made navigable, this time by the U.S. by the Army Corps of Engineers with the completion of a series of lock-and-dam structures and a navigation channel.

Historic images of Bossier City

Amber Inn Drive-In Restaurant, E. Texas Street, U.S. Highway 80

Bossier City, Louisiana

Barksdale Motel

Bossier City, Louisiana

Bridge across the Red River connecting Bossier City (bottom) to Shreveport (top)

Shreveport-Bossier Barksdale Bridge across the Red River, looking east towards the Barksdale Main Gate